Sikh 5 kakkars

Guru Gobind Singh instructed his amritdhari

(meaning ‘baptised’ ) Sikhs to keep the five Ks

(‘kakkaar’) to mark their transformation:

1. Kes Uncut hair. This expresses Nature as

reflecting God’s Will and God’s design for

humans as the most beautiful.

2. Kangha A small wooden comb which a Sikh

should use twice a day, which symbolises

cleanliness. It reminds Sikhs that just as a

comb cleans hair, then they can get rid of

impurities of thought by repeating God’s

Name in their mind.

3. Kara An n iron or a steel bracelet worn on the

wrist of the hand the person would write with.

It is a symbol of a Sikh’s unbreakable bond

with the Guru and the Khalsa. The circle is a

symbol of restraint and a constant reminder of

ideal behaviour, while the use of steel is a

symbol of strength and equality (steel, rather

than silver or gold, can be afforded by all

Sikhs).

4. Kachera A pair of breeches, often worn as

under-shorts, .symbolising high sexual

morals.

5. Kirpan Literally, “sword of mercy”. This is

used to defend the weak and uphold

righteousness, and follow the Guru’s teaching

that a Sikh should “fear not, frighten not”.